Listeners of KPTZ 91.9 FM have the chance to hear history being made Nov. 1, as the radio station hosts its first-ever live broadcast of a local school sporting event, with the Chimacum versus Port Townsend high school football game on Memorial Field kicking off at 6:30 p.m.

Phil Andrus, who’s serving as producer of the broadcast, characterized it as without precedent, for either the schools or the radio station.

KPTZ General Manager Kate Ingram described this broadcast as “a long-time wish” for the station, and credited Andrus with working “on seeds planted last January” for a remote crew to broadcast the game, with confirmations and approvals from Chimacum Athletic Director Tony Haddenham, PTHS Athletic Director Lysa Falge and Principal Carrie Ehrhardt, and hosts Peter Robinson and Kurt Munnich providing play-by-play and color commentary as the game’s announcers.

“From the first meetings I attended which led to the creation of KPTZ, one of my personal goals has been for our community radio station to become involved in high school athletics,” Andrus said. “Though not much of an athlete myself, both of my youngsters, now in their 30s, were multi-sports athletes at Chimacum, and college athletes at Willamette University. From their experiences, I came to appreciate the value of competitive athletics, for the athletes, their families and their communities.”

Andrus noted that KPTZ has “an outstanding crew” of volunteers who are skilled at staging remote broadcasts, from KPTZ Chief Engineer Bill Putney, who ensures reliable connection between remote sites and the studio, to Mike Carroll shepherding volunteer crews and equipment, and Ingram “keeping her eye out for loose ends,” but until now, sports coverage has not been on the station’s playlist.

“So our paramount challenge was finding one or two individuals who could do the play-by-play announcing, without whom we would have hours of dead air while the game played on,” Andrus said. “Two of our fine DJs, Peter Robinson and Kurt Munnich, raised their hands high. They’re excited and confident.”

Andrus touted the value of the broadcast as bringing “much deserved attention to the two schools, their boards, their administrations and staff, their coaches, and especially their athletes,” as well as introducing KPTZ to those in Jefferson County “who have not become accustomed to tuning in” to 91.9 FM.

“By fortuitous coincidence, the game comes near the close of KPTZ’s fall fund drive,” Andrus said. “We’re hoping that high school football fans will become KPTZ fans, and donate to the station.”

Andrus not only looks forward to the “fun” of the broadcast itself, but also to hearing from listeners, both during and after the game, as well as hopefully being invited back for next year’s game.

“Get out your pom poms and cheer on your favorite team in the cozy privacy of your living room,” Andrus said. “Show your appreciation for the young people who work so hard, and do their best for their schools and their community.”

Those who cannot listen to the game on their radios at 91.9 FM can stream KPTZ at kptz.org.